Admission Requirements & Instructions:
Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education Admissions Requirements
1. Completion of a minimum of 45 credits
2. Minimum 2.75 cumulative UM grade point average
3. Completion of Fundamental English Composition with a minimum grade of “C-”
4. Completion of Fundamental Math course (College Algebra or higher) with minimum grade of “C-”
5. Completion of EDHD 220 with a minimum grade of “B-”
6. Completion of Gateway Courses with a cumulative 2.7 GPA for the following courses:
a. Biological Science with Lab (CORE LL/GenEd NL)
b. Physical Science with Lab (CORE PL/GenEd NL)
c. MATH 212 Elements of Numbers
d. MATH 213 Elements of Geometry
7. Minimum passing scores on a test of basic skills (please see advisor for details)
Please note: Scores should be sent directly to the College of Education - Institution Code 5814
Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education Supplemental Application Materials
1.
List of Prior Experiences: A detailed list of previous paid and/or volunteer experiences with young children
(birth- 3rd grade) should be included. This should be submitted in an enhanced resume format, with each item
including (at a minimum) a brief description of the type of activity, age group of the children, and type of
setting in which these experiences occurred. Competitive candidates should have experience interacting with
children of the target age group and diverse populations (e.g. ELLs, children with disabilities, non-dominant
ethnic groups).
2.
Goal Statement: The goal statement is your introduction to the Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special
Education (EC/ECSE) faculty as a potential EC/ECS Educator and will be used as one of several factors in
determining your admission into the program. Please compose an essay that describes why you wish to
apply for the EC/ECSE Program at the University of Maryland. This essay will be read by the admission
committee members who are interested in learning about how your past experiences have prepared you for our
program.
Goal Statement: To help formulate a well-organized response, please consider all of the following: (a)
your goals for teaching young children with and without disabilities; (b) your thoughts about working with
diverse groups of children (e.g., ethnic, cultural, linguistic, economic, and ability); and (c) what you think
you need to learn to be an effective EC/ECSE educator. Finally, please pay attention to the organization,
elaboration of ideas, and way that you present your thoughts (e.g., spelling, punctuation, and sentence
structure).
3.
4.
Letters of Recommendation. Three (3) letters of recommendation are required. One letter must be written
by a faculty member who can address your academic abilities and potential to complete an academically
rigorous professional program. Two letters must be written by a previous/present employer or supervisor of a
paid/volunteer experience. The letters must be on letterhead stationery (where applicable) and should contain
contact information for the recommender in case additional information is needed. In these letters, the
recommender should address your contributions to the field of early childhood, the quality of your service, and
your professional development during your employment or volunteer experience. Please make personal copies
before submitting letters.
Application Deadline: Applications are to be submitted once a year (by May 1 of each year) to the
Office of Student Services (Rm 1204 Benjamin). Applications must be complete when submitted.
Please note that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the Professional
Teacher Education program in Early Childhood/Early Childhood SPECIAL EDUCATION Dual
Certification Education.